Carla Howell: Abolishing the Income Tax in Massachusetts
Like many states, Massachusetts has an income tax. But in Massachusetts, people are trying to do something about it. Libertarian activist Carla Howell organized an initiative in 2002 that would have abolished the state income tax. It got over 45% of the vote, and now she's back with another effort.We talk to her about libertarian politics, politicians and taxes, and whether this initiative might start a national anti-tax trend. Plus, what you can do, if you want to help.
You can listen to the file directly -- no downloads needed -- by going right here and clicking on the gray Flash player. Or you can download the file and listen at your leisure by clicking right here. And, of course, you can always get a free subscription via iTunes. Free!
Music is by Audra and the Antidote ("Revolution") and Carla Howell ("The Tax Song.") Show archives are at GlennandHelenShow.com.
posted by Helen at 9:40 AM
8 Comments:
Wait until the MA Supreme Court finds it unconstitutional.
No doubt Randian. I'm calling it right now, they're gonna win. That pocketbook incentive will be too great.
Helen, you and Glenn do a great job tracking down interesting, quality guests. PLEASE keep up the good work.
Every state and the federal government should do away with the income tax. Enough of this nonsense of buying votes by promising a large group of people that a different, smaller group will pay for it all.
I wonder, though, about the government reaction. I recall when the National Park Service budget got cut. The response was to padlock the national monuments in DC, saying, "Sorry, no money to keep 'em open."
I predict that the abolition of the income tax will result in, oh, say, school closures or police and fire services being cut.
You know?
Lamont
You know full well, Lamont, that if we demand a removal of the income tax, our government will make us pay dearly for it. Life long government employees would be put out of a cushy job.
And the embedded bureaucrats are even more the problem than the elected officials, at least so far. But if the elected representatives start working a full five days a week like the rest of us, we'll really be in trouble. All they do is make more laws and spend more money when in session.
Actually, I think a federal sales tax may very well bring in more money than an income tax. I can't guarantee that, I don't know everything. But I think of all the people who are under the radar on taxes, such as illegal immigrants and those who work for cash under the table, not to mention drug dealers, etc., and they would be paying taxes. What's best is the government would have less ability to engineer our lives through tax codes and less information about what we do, not to mention it would be tougher to buy elections through wealth redistribution.
Also, we would probably have fewer voters always voting for the candidate that promises the most since the absurd "vote for me, i'll give you this, and someone else will pay for it" would be less tenable.
Just think how much money we would save on shutting down the IRS?
But, I admit, there would be drawbacks.
The last time a ballot initiative to reduce the income tax was passed in MA the state legislature basically said go pound sand, and refused to actually roll back the tax. Expect to see that happen again on the slim chance this actually passes.
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